Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM
Launch MSRP
$19,999- Weight
- 3,340g
- Filter
- —
- Min focus
- 4.30m
- Max mag.
- 0.29×
- Formula
- 26E / 18G
- Released
- 2022
Specification sheet
Optical construction
- 2x Fluorite
- 1x Super UD
- 1x UD
- ASC
- Fluorine Coating
- Aperture range
- f/8 — f/64
Physical & ergonomics
- Weight
- 3,340g
- ⌀ × length
- 168.0 × 537.0mm
- Filter
- —
- Weather sealed
- Yes
- Aperture ring
- No
Autofocus actuator
- Stabilisation
- Optical
- Teleconverter
- 1.4x · 2.0x
- AF speed score
- 8.6 / 10
Close-up performance
- Min focus distance
- 4.30m
- Max magnification
- 0.29× (1:3.4)
Optical character
The RF 1200mm f/8 is built on the optical design of the RF 600mm f/4, with an expanded rear group that doubles the focal length. It weighs about 3340g, only slightly more than the RF 600mm, and Canon says it can be hand-held, which a 1200mm lens rarely allows. Two fluorite elements, a Super UD and a UD element correct colour fringing, and ASC suppresses flare from light hitting the front element head-on.
It is a specialist tool for wildlife, aviation and sport shot from far away. It focuses down to 4.3m (0.29x), and the IS is rated at 4 stops with three modes. With the RF 1.4x and 2x extenders it reaches 1680mm f/11 and 2400mm f/16 and keeps AF. Video features include 1/8-stop aperture steps, a power-focus mode and two focus-preset positions. A heat-shield white paint and a double-walled barrel keep the lens cool in sun, and it uses 52mm drop-in filters.
Reviewer consensus
We summarise professional reviews only after reading at least two independent ones. Not enough have been published or verified for this lens yet.
Owner sentiment
Owner feedback will appear once we have verified real-world reports for this lens.
Strengths, weaknesses & performance
Strengths
- +1200mm in a 3340g lens
- +2 fluorite, 1 Super UD and 1 UD element
- +4.3m close focus, 0.29x
- +AF and IS kept with RF 1.4x and 2x extenders
- +Dust and drip resistant, heat-shield coating
Weaknesses
- −$19,999 launch price
- −537mm long and 168mm wide
- −Only 4 stops of IS at 1200mm
Six-axis rating
Ratings are published once at least two independent professional reviews have been read.
Technical specifications
| Mount | Canon RF · full frame |
|---|---|
| Focal length | 1200mm |
| Category | Super-Telephoto |
| Maximum aperture | f/8 |
| Minimum aperture | f/64 |
| Construction | 26 elements in 18 groups |
| Special elements | 2x Fluorite · 1x Super UD · 1x UD · ASC · Fluorine Coating |
| Aperture blades | 9 |
| Focus type | Autofocus |
|---|---|
| Drive | Ring USM |
| Minimum focus | 4.30m |
| Max magnification | 0.29× |
| Stabilisation | Optical |
| Teleconverters | 1.4x, 2.0x |
| Weight | 3,340g |
|---|---|
| Diameter × length | 168.0 × 537.0mm |
| Filter thread | None |
| Weather sealing | Yes |
| Aperture ring | No |
| De-clickable aperture | No |
| Release year | 2022 |
| Launch MSRP | $19,999 USD |
Sources
Verified against the pages below. Specifications come from the manufacturer; summaries only reflect reviews and owner reports we actually read.
Specifications
- canon.com.cn/product/rf1200f8lis/spec.html
- canon.com.cn/product/rf1200f8lis/
- global.canon/en/c-museum/product/rf513.html
Launch price
- canonrumors.com/canon-announces-the-rf-800mm-f5-6l-is-usm-and-the-rf-1200mm
Similar focal length alternatives
- VSRF 1200mm F8 L IS USM vs RF 800mm F11 IS STM
- VSRF 1200mm F8 L IS USM vs RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
- VSRF 1200mm F8 L IS USM vs RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM
- Canon
RF 800mm F11 IS STM
800mmF11- WT
- 1,260g
- FLT
- ⌀95mm
- MFD
- 6.00m
- MSRP
- $900
AFSTAB - CanonL
RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM
800mmF5.6- WT
- 3,140g
- FLT
- —
- MFD
- 2.60m
- MSRP
- —
AFSTABWR - Canon
RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM
200–800mmF6.3–9- WT
- 2,050g
- FLT
- ⌀95mm
- MFD
- 0.80m
- MSRP
- $1,899
AFSTABWR
